Jay Feaster wants the Avs G.M. job

Just got off the phone with Jay Feaster, the former G.M. of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
He has contacted Pierre Lacroix and told him of his great interest in the vacant Avs G.M. job. Feaster has a connection to the Avalanche – he was the G.M. of the Hershey Bears when the Bears were an Avs affiliate. Pierre basically hired him for that job, and played a role in helping him get the G.M. job in Tampa.

Feaster won a Stanley Cup five years ago, but was let go in all the madness that engulfed the Lightning not long after.

I’ll have a more complete story in tomorrow’s print edition of The Denver Post.

His draft history is a bit suspect, but there is no arguing with the job he did in rebuilding the Lighting. He made some really good moves (the Khabibulin trade and the Sydor trade at the 03-04′ deadline) to help make Tampa elite.

Even when he had to dump salary last year he made a very good trade. He got a really good package of players for Brad Richards. If we surround him with a really good scouting staff, I think he could do a really good job for the Avs.

His draft history is a bit suspect, but there is no arguing with the job he did in rebuilding the Lighting. He made some really good moves (the Khabibulin trade and the Sydor trade at the 03-04′ deadline) to help make Tampa elite.

Even when he had to dump salary last year he made a very good trade. He got a really good package of players for Brad Richards. If we surround him with a really good scouting staff, I think he could do a really good job for the Avs.

This we be a bad move. The Lightning are picking one spot ahead of us, in part, because of Feaster. He got the Lightning into salary cap hell by awarding St. Louis, Lecavalier, and Richards with big contracts. Since, they had to trade Richards (they’re captain!) to clear cap space as well as Dan Boyle, they’re best defenseman. We’ve already had Giguere get us into an unmanageable cap situation, so I think we’re doing fine without Feaster.
A good GM recognizes talent and gets guys signed to long term deals before they hit their potential, rather than paying them open market prices following a breakout year. A good GM drafts well so you have lots of low salary guys making an impact along with the veterans.
Keep in mind that the Avs never really developed that many guys out of Hershey. Most successful in-house guys like Hejduk, Drury, Tanguay, etc. were extremely talented and required only seasoning at the AHL level.
There’s too much carryover from the uncapped era. The Avs have had a tendency to sign guys to 1-2 yr. deals at free agency prices, or worse- deals like Hannan’s, Clark’s and Smyth’s. Hejduk’s current deal is the only smart move I can remember them making, and it’s about up.
Feaster would be more of the same, and this organization needs a house-cleaning.

This we be a bad move. The Lightning are picking one spot ahead of us, in part, because of Feaster. He got the Lightning into salary cap hell by awarding St. Louis, Lecavalier, and Richards with big contracts. Since, they had to trade Richards (they’re captain!) to clear cap space as well as Dan Boyle, they’re best defenseman. We’ve already had Giguere get us into an unmanageable cap situation, so I think we’re doing fine without Feaster.
A good GM recognizes talent and gets guys signed to long term deals before they hit their potential, rather than paying them open market prices following a breakout year. A good GM drafts well so you have lots of low salary guys making an impact along with the veterans.
Keep in mind that the Avs never really developed that many guys out of Hershey. Most successful in-house guys like Hejduk, Drury, Tanguay, etc. were extremely talented and required only seasoning at the AHL level.
There’s too much carryover from the uncapped era. The Avs have had a tendency to sign guys to 1-2 yr. deals at free agency prices, or worse- deals like Hannan’s, Clark’s and Smyth’s. Hejduk’s current deal is the only smart move I can remember them making, and it’s about up.
Feaster would be more of the same, and this organization needs a house-cleaning.

I trust Lacroix, but I just wish the Avs would stop this insular approach to hockey. That is, the only people who are qualified to be in this organization are members of the “family.” But I’d be willing to give Feaster a shot. I mean the man has won a Stanley Cup. That said, Granato MUST go!!!! It was a mistake to give him the job after Lacroix fired Hartley and it was a mistake to give him the job a second time. I’m sure Tony’s a great guy, earnest, and gets along great with the players. But he’s not head coach material, whether he’s a FOP (friend of Pierre’s) or not.

I trust Lacroix, but I just wish the Avs would stop this insular approach to hockey. That is, the only people who are qualified to be in this organization are members of the “family.” But I’d be willing to give Feaster a shot. I mean the man has won a Stanley Cup. That said, Granato MUST go!!!! It was a mistake to give him the job after Lacroix fired Hartley and it was a mistake to give him the job a second time. I’m sure Tony’s a great guy, earnest, and gets along great with the players. But he’s not head coach material, whether he’s a FOP (friend of Pierre’s) or not.

Sam, I’m not sure Feaster could’ve imagined the lockout happening and the reduction in salary cap.

I do think he couldn’t done a better job to get a top-flight goalie sooner. However, starting last off-season, I thought the Lightning were in a great position until Feaster was fired and they signed like 30 forwards.

Sam, I’m not sure Feaster could’ve imagined the lockout happening and the reduction in salary cap.

I do think he couldn’t done a better job to get a top-flight goalie sooner. However, starting last off-season, I thought the Lightning were in a great position until Feaster was fired and they signed like 30 forwards.

I think Feaster is a great candidate… especially since he’s openly pursuing it and making it known he wants the job.

Yeah, TB kind of sank after the cup… but the lockout and the imbalance caused from the frequent change of ownership are all factors that led to Feaster being handcuffed in his final years with the lightning.

I’d still respect Biller being in control of this team, but Lacroix should take a good hard look at Feaster. Something better than handing the job to Tony Granato before interviewing anyone.

And while we’re at it… McTavish is out of Edmonton… yet another coach I’d rather see behind the bench than Tony Granato.

I think Feaster is a great candidate… especially since he’s openly pursuing it and making it known he wants the job.

Yeah, TB kind of sank after the cup… but the lockout and the imbalance caused from the frequent change of ownership are all factors that led to Feaster being handcuffed in his final years with the lightning.

I’d still respect Biller being in control of this team, but Lacroix should take a good hard look at Feaster. Something better than handing the job to Tony Granato before interviewing anyone.

And while we’re at it… McTavish is out of Edmonton… yet another coach I’d rather see behind the bench than Tony Granato.

The Richards trade was a very good trade because he got a young goalie in return. He made a good trade when his team sucked, something Giguere failed to do. When you have three star players and it’s time for payday, you have no choice. Even though the Richards contract is alot, it wasn’t a bad contract at the time: Richards was coming off a 91 point season, and had won the Conn Smyth the season before.

Dan Boyle was traded because co-owner Len Barrie and Boyle have an alleged feud dating back to when they both played for Florida together. In other words, he was traded because new management is retarded. They traded Boyle for Carle, Carle for Eminger, and Eminger for Noah Welch and a 3rd. So Boyle for Noah Welch and a 3rd. Absolutely brilliant.

Also, Richards wasn’t “they’re” captain. Ever. It was Andreychuk, then Tim Taylor, and then Lecavalier. So, with the exception of trading for Marc Denis, I can’t see a bad move Feaster made in his time with Tampa.

The Richards trade was a very good trade because he got a young goalie in return. He made a good trade when his team sucked, something Giguere failed to do. When you have three star players and it’s time for payday, you have no choice. Even though the Richards contract is alot, it wasn’t a bad contract at the time: Richards was coming off a 91 point season, and had won the Conn Smyth the season before.

Dan Boyle was traded because co-owner Len Barrie and Boyle have an alleged feud dating back to when they both played for Florida together. In other words, he was traded because new management is retarded. They traded Boyle for Carle, Carle for Eminger, and Eminger for Noah Welch and a 3rd. So Boyle for Noah Welch and a 3rd. Absolutely brilliant.

Also, Richards wasn’t “they’re” captain. Ever. It was Andreychuk, then Tim Taylor, and then Lecavalier. So, with the exception of trading for Marc Denis, I can’t see a bad move Feaster made in his time with Tampa.

I’m all for this guy as long as he fires Cammie and makes some competent moves over the next four months…We’re not looking for a miracle-worker here, just someone who knows what the hell he’s doing, and will keep us in the playoff hunt next year. Maybe while he’s at it, he can purge the medical staff, too – there’s something not right with that group of Avalanche employees, and not enough emphasis or accountability has been put on those guys these last five years with all of the “bad luck” that’s happened with injuries, etc. (No, Joe – you don’t need to do squats and power-cleans on game day, go stretch or ride the bike).

I’m all for this guy as long as he fires Cammie and makes some competent moves over the next four months…We’re not looking for a miracle-worker here, just someone who knows what the hell he’s doing, and will keep us in the playoff hunt next year. Maybe while he’s at it, he can purge the medical staff, too – there’s something not right with that group of Avalanche employees, and not enough emphasis or accountability has been put on those guys these last five years with all of the “bad luck” that’s happened with injuries, etc. (No, Joe – you don’t need to do squats and power-cleans on game day, go stretch or ride the bike).

Feaster as GM with a lot of input from Billington on the scouting and development front (maybe make him an assistant GM?) could be a really good management team. I’d take it. Feaster was hampered in Tampa by terrible ownership! (And the way things have gone since he and Torts left should make that pretty apparent).

Feaster as GM with a lot of input from Billington on the scouting and development front (maybe make him an assistant GM?) could be a really good management team. I’d take it. Feaster was hampered in Tampa by terrible ownership! (And the way things have gone since he and Torts left should make that pretty apparent).

Hey Sam – not sure where you got your “facts” but you are way off.
#1 – Richards was an ASSISTANT Captain not the Captain – never was the captain. The year Richy was traded Tim Taylor was the Captain (though he was on IR all year).
#2 – the Boyle trade was all OK Hockey (the new owners) and NOT Feaster. Feaster was the one pushing OK and Palace Sports to resign Boyle before the trade deadline. He has always been on record that Boyle was an extremely important part of the team. OK approved this deal even though they didn’t own the team and then idiot Barrie steps in and makes the worst trade in NHL history.
Those are the facts.
Reality is the only thing I question with Feaster is drafting but I also think he was hampered by a really bad scouting staff. As Marc said – surround him with a good scouting staff and Feaster and the Av’s would be lucky to have him.

Hey Sam – not sure where you got your “facts” but you are way off.
#1 – Richards was an ASSISTANT Captain not the Captain – never was the captain. The year Richy was traded Tim Taylor was the Captain (though he was on IR all year).
#2 – the Boyle trade was all OK Hockey (the new owners) and NOT Feaster. Feaster was the one pushing OK and Palace Sports to resign Boyle before the trade deadline. He has always been on record that Boyle was an extremely important part of the team. OK approved this deal even though they didn’t own the team and then idiot Barrie steps in and makes the worst trade in NHL history.
Those are the facts.
Reality is the only thing I question with Feaster is drafting but I also think he was hampered by a really bad scouting staff. As Marc said – surround him with a good scouting staff and Feaster and the Av’s would be lucky to have him.

I am confused as to how Billington is such a standout canidate for you folks. I think we need to take a look at his responsibilities within the team and look at his experince to judge if he is a canadiate for the job. First, would you ever consider a guy for the job outside of the avalanche with 4 years experience in the front office and before that the goalie coach. Absolutley not. we would laugh at his resume and move on. Second, by my account his job is in the development department. Can anybody name a standout player coming up through the ranks. NO. we got a healthy look at our best players in the minors this season with all the injuries and nothing blew my hair back. On top of that the two products of the system that we got to watch extensivly, hensick and stewart, were of no impact. They showed glimmers of hope but overall there season can be looked as duds. they are fourth line guys at best on any other team and hensick struggling because hes suppose to be a skill guy. with all that said could somone please tell me what hes bringing to the table? There are way to many qualified cannidates with long term experience.

I am confused as to how Billington is such a standout canidate for you folks. I think we need to take a look at his responsibilities within the team and look at his experince to judge if he is a canadiate for the job. First, would you ever consider a guy for the job outside of the avalanche with 4 years experience in the front office and before that the goalie coach. Absolutley not. we would laugh at his resume and move on. Second, by my account his job is in the development department. Can anybody name a standout player coming up through the ranks. NO. we got a healthy look at our best players in the minors this season with all the injuries and nothing blew my hair back. On top of that the two products of the system that we got to watch extensivly, hensick and stewart, were of no impact. They showed glimmers of hope but overall there season can be looked as duds. they are fourth line guys at best on any other team and hensick struggling because hes suppose to be a skill guy. with all that said could somone please tell me what hes bringing to the table? There are way to many qualified cannidates with long term experience.

Most of you have it correct about Jay Feaster – good guy, candid, solid citizen and tells it like it is. Not too many guys like that around in sports these days. Jay made a few bad moves in his time here (yes Denis being one of them) but what GM hasnt made a bad move? Overall, he made many more good moves versus bad ones. True, the lockout crushed the lightning, and worse than anything the current group of cowboy management has run off Jay, Torts, and amany many other good people, including a couple dozen solid employees laid off this week, including the mascot! Also a good point to note that good scouts help any GM, including Jay. Trust me, jay is sharp, knows the business, and is a huge people person. You would do well with him on board when you way the pluses and minues. By the way, Mark Denis is as class of an act you will find, a guy who fell on hard times. Good Luck Av fans!

Most of you have it correct about Jay Feaster – good guy, candid, solid citizen and tells it like it is. Not too many guys like that around in sports these days. Jay made a few bad moves in his time here (yes Denis being one of them) but what GM hasnt made a bad move? Overall, he made many more good moves versus bad ones. True, the lockout crushed the lightning, and worse than anything the current group of cowboy management has run off Jay, Torts, and amany many other good people, including a couple dozen solid employees laid off this week, including the mascot! Also a good point to note that good scouts help any GM, including Jay. Trust me, jay is sharp, knows the business, and is a huge people person. You would do well with him on board when you way the pluses and minues. By the way, Mark Denis is as class of an act you will find, a guy who fell on hard times. Good Luck Av fans!

Terry Frei graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in the Denver area and has degrees in history and journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He worked for the Rocky Mountain News while attending CU and joined the Post staff after graduation. He has also worked at the Oregonian in Portland, Ore., and The Sporting News. His seventh book, March 1939: Before the Madness, was issued in February 2014.

Chambers covers college and professional hockey for The Denver Post. He has written for the Post since 1994, after dumping his first 9-to-5 office job a couple years out of college. He primarily follows the University of Denver hockey team and helps cover the Avalanche.